City of San Fernando—Relief International Philippines is targetting 900,000 children in Central Luzon for its Measles Rubella-Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA 2021) slated next month in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan areas.
John Karlo Domingo, provincial focal person of RI-PH, said the activity will provide 5.1 million measles and rubella vaccines while 900,000 for oral polio vaccine in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, which are listed as priority provinces in Region 3 for the immunization campaign this year.
“We are aiming for a large number because the more the kids we vaccinate in a community, the lesser is the chance for the disease to spread. This will be beneficial not only to the children who received the vaccine, but also to those kids who were not, especially those who are immunocompromised,” Domingo said.
Relief International serves as social mobilizers who educate parents on the importance of vaccines, and to eradicate the malice of diseases.
“With our observations last SPKP, some parents are really afraid for their children. Years have passed since the last vaccine issue and the fear is still there,” Domingo said.
Measles and rubella or German measles vaccine will be provided to children 9-59 months old, while oral polio vaccine will be given to children 0-59 months old.
RI emphasized that the vaccine is free, and the Department of Health ensures that it is safe and effective.
“The strategy for the supplemental immunization activity is not to do it on a house-to-house basis. There should be fixed posts provided such as barangay health centers or other places to be assigned by the health officers. There will be a staggered scheduling to be strictly followed,” Domingo added.
Vaccines to be given are only supplemental dosages and can be completed through routine immunization.
Polio is a viral infection that attacks the spinal cord and nerve muscles and may lead to paralysis.